After having a run of four straight league wins (five in all competitions) ended with a 1-1 home league draw with Nuneaton Borough in midweek, The Ducks stayed two points clear of Dartford at the top of the table (they'd gone top after the Nuneaton game) after this latest win against next to bottom Redditch United at Buckingham Road. However, it was a less than convincing performance by Trevor Gould's side against ex Aston Villa star Dennis Mortimer's team who made Aylesbury work hard for their victory.

The hosts took the lead in just the 3rd minute when Kevin James floated a free kick across the box, Redditch's debutant keeper Dan Penner came out towards the penalty spot and missed the ball by miles and when it was knocked back in from the far post, Redditch full back Sean Stobart looked to try and clear but Cliff Hercules was there to force the ball over the line for his 19th goal of the season.

Disaster struck for The Ducks just two minutes later when a cross from the right wasn't dealt with properly, keeper Tim Garner left the initial cross to an uneven contest between James and giant striker Mirek Kalewski at the far post and when Kalewski won the ball, Garner was rooted to his line as Mark Rosegreen fired home inside the near post.

Aylesbury had the best of the chances with Brendan Phillips curling a shot against the angle of bar and post in the 29th minute as it began to dawn that there weren't going to be many goals given away by two well drilled defences.

The winner came in the 52nd minute when Bob Coy floated a free kick from the right deep into the box and Penner was again left nowhere as Hercules climbed highest at the far post to loop his header over the keeper. The visitors came back into the game late on but The Ducks had done enough to ensure the points stayed at Buckingham Road.

David Figg